Moos

I agree with DM - we'd benefit from an education system whereby practical and vocational subjects are as highly regarded as academic ones, and result in qualifications of equal value. Equal, but of course different. In Germany, for example, a school-leaver can start an apprenticeship as a banking officer, a hotelier or a furniture-maker and will combine practical paid work experience with studying subjects relevant to their vocation. The furniture-maker, will study book-keeping and wider economics, as well as learning the art and craft of designing and making furniture. The qualifications gained are highly regarded and hard-earned. It's a far superior system to expecting 50% of all young people to spend 3 years in full-time academic education or else be regarded as under-qualified, and it is much more respectful and encouraging of different types of skills and intelligence.

Blimey, you leave a thread for 5 minutes and we go from cards to pressies... the pressure's started, people, and it's only September! I feel a thread coming on... the perfect gift for...

Yes, I think so too - but I believe the Birthday Boy was talking about Dan Brown, so I concluded that SeanMac was misdirecting his ire. But what do I know? I read trashy books, and enjoy them*. *Yes, I know, cross me off, blah blah blah. Like I was going to get one anyway.

Scary, I speak and one can see Quids' lips moving.

A surprise stern defence of the efforts of Mr. Brown from Mr. MacGabhann there.

... unless your television has stopped working, Shawshank is bound to be on some time in the next 23 days.

Definitely a man, probably an EDFer, needs a new schtick. But, you know, welcome.

Happy birthday, dear Quids. May all your bets be lucky ones.

Hi Leo, thanks for coming on and all the best to your friend for a full recovery soon. So sorry you had such a dreadful experience.

Neil from no. 46 is trembling with excitement, as he fastens his raincoat tightly over his naked, hairy belly. He knows what 'dress to impress' means. He's always fancied Debs, and he thinks he detects under her light, brittle manner a special warmth for him. He adjusts the fit of his.. well, I suppose you'd call it underwear. It pinches rather. The doorbell rings. Debs answers in a wrap dress and last year's must-have gold-twist heavy jewellery. She is heavily scented, heavily made up and definitely completely dressed. Behind her, a number of definitely completely dressed people contemplate plates of tapas. Can I take your coat, she asks politely, uncertainly.

woofmarkthedog Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Moos Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > PGC, it's the other thing. > > ? Moos please expand Don't you start. *puts down the biscuit*

"Debs and Phil invite _____ and ____ for cocktails and funky nibbles! Sunday at 6:30." Shoots Debs and Phil. Pours self glass of wine.

Bah, sorry, humourometer was switched off.

PGC, it's the other thing.

Agree with the posters above that a baby monitor isn't needed at first, and not if your baby is in the same room - you might want it for naps or the evening at a later stage, but they're easily available. Digital definitely better than analogue. I don't think you'll need an express pump right away, even if you're planning to express, unless you struggle to learn to feed and are trying expressing instead. I'd risk it. However, if you are planning to do any bottle feeding I understand that the advice given in America re: sterilising in the dishwasher is because their dishwashers run hotter than ours. We got an electric Avent steam steriliser which was really good, perhaps there's a good 2nd hand market? Good luck!

I think deep down you may have to be right. We have an awful lot of booze in the house, and it's only the beer and wine that we ever run out of. Much as I'd like to come home from work and say Darling I've had a terrible day, mix me a Manhatten, a glass of red is just more appealing.

Brendan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- ... persecuted by our great > state which was actually not so hugely removed > ideologically from the ?evil? one we were fighting > and he helped us defeat. Um, well there were some relatively important differences.

I sympathise with your worry. I am no expert, but my childcare bible What To Expect The Toddler Years suggests swapping milk intake over to semi-skimmed at the age of 2, as 'the development of artery clogging plaque begins in childhood'. Recommends that children over 2 should get less than 30% of their total calories from fat, with no more than 10% (to be clear they mean 10% of total calories or 1/3 of fat calories) from saturated fats, and less than 300 mg of dietary cholesterol per day.

I didn't read the response as complaining so much as explaining.

Dear *Bob* I'm giggling inordinately at my desk and am failing to maintain any pretence at productivity. Please help. Dull of Virtueville

askbob Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Is it wrong to derive sexual pleasure from > defecation and yet not be a member of the Liberal > Democrat Parliamentary Party? Woof, really, was it worth the bother of logging in again?

*laughs socks off*

George Eliot on an unsuccessful marriage: "To the last [he] occasionally let slip a bitter speech which was more memorable than the signs he made of his repentance. He once called her his basil plant; and when she asked for a explanation, said the basil was a plant which had flourished wonderfully on a murdered man's brains."

. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit was today, 12:41am by Moos.

You misunderstand me, although I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. I have no issue with my being older than you, but more that your post in response to my first today on this thread implied some kind of watching-over of your behaviour. I do not do that. If you consider your post re: TLS to have been acceptable, and not worthy of editing I can only say I find that a shame. I have reported it. I continue to be extremely annoyed that I've been made to feel that I had to, I hate doing it.